of_o nature_n and_o nation_n or_o suppose_v he_o in_o conscience_n deny_v jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v the_o mediator_n or_o such_o and_o such_o book_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n yea_o or_o that_o there_o be_v any_o use_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o we_o must_v only_o depend_v on_o revelation_n and_o herein_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o nation_n leave_v he_o now_o he_o in_o conscience_n think_v he_o be_v bind_v to_o establish_v this_o as_o a_o rule_n to_o all_o other_o which_o to_o he_o be_v the_o truth_n and_o in_o conscience_n to_o oppose_v all_o contrary_a doctrine_n what_o then_o will_v become_v of_o subject_n liberty_n the_o word_n be_v not_o make_v the_o rule_n to_o regulate_v this_o ruler_n conscience_n according_a as_o we_o say_v it_o shall_v for_o if_o that_o be_v so_o his_o rule_n there_o be_v a_o remedy_n and_o way_n to_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o rule_n but_o his_o conscience_n judgement_n and_o fantasy_n touch_v the_o rule_n that_o be_v by_o this_o tenent_n make_v his_o rule_n according_a to_o which_o he_o must_v be_v leave_v free_o to_o act_v without_o restraint_n the_o mischief_n necessary_o follow_v this_o if_o once_o cry_v up_o we_o leave_v to_o such_o of_o our_o opposite_n sad_o and_o serious_o to_o consider_v of_o the_o nature_n &_o power_n of_o synod_n the_o second_o question_n quest_n 2._o what_o be_v the_o ground_n from_o scripture_n to_o warrant_v synod_n answ_n in_o answer_n to_o this_o question_n we_o shall_v propound_v to_o consideration_n three_o argument_n from_o scripture_n and_o five_o reason_n argument_n argum_fw-la 1_o take_a from_o act_n 15._o a_o orderly_a assembly_n of_o qualify_a church-messenger_n elder_n and_o other_o brethren_n in_o time_n of_o controversy_n and_o danger_n concern_v weighty_a matter_n of_o religion_n for_o the_o consider_v dispute_v find_v out_o and_o clear_n of_o the_o truth_n from_o the_o scripture_n and_o establish_v of_o peace_n among_o the_o church_n be_v found_v upon_o act_n 15._o but_o a_o synod_n be_v a_o orderly_a assembly_n of_o qualify_a church-messenger_n elder_n and_o other_o brethren_n in_o time_n of_o controversy_n and_o danger_n concern_v weighty_a matter_n of_o religion_n for_o the_o consider_v dispute_v find_v out_o and_o clear_v of_o the_o truth_n from_o the_o scripture_n and_o establish_v of_o peace_n among_o the_o church_n ergo_fw-la a_o synod_n be_v found_v upon_o act_n 15._o distin_n 1_o for_o the_o confirm_v of_o this_o argument_n three_o distinction_n be_v to_o be_v premise_v and_o some_o objection_n to_o be_v satisfy_v the_o first_o distinction_n be_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o question_n the_o other_o with_o the_o satisfaction_n to_o the_o objection_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o text._n the_o necessity_n of_o synod_n be_v either_o 1_o absolute_a 2_o respective_a synod_n be_v not_o necessary_a absolute_o i._n e._n unto_o the_o being_n but_o respective_o i._n e._n unto_o the_o well-being_n of_o church_n distin_n 2_o in_o this_o synod_n some_o thing_n be_v first_o extraordinary_n and_o not_o exemplary_a some_o whereof_o be_v certain_o so_o and_o the_o rest_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v so_o unto_o divers_a as_o 1_o the_o quality_n of_o some_o of_o the_o member_n sc_n apostle_n v._o 6.23_o 2_o the_o style_n v._o 28._o 3_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o imposition_n of_o their_o sentence_n as_o immediate_o and_o political_o bind_v at_o least_o as_o some_o expound_v the_o place_n 4_o the_o object_n upon_o who_o they_o impose_v the_o keep_n of_o their_o decree_n viz._n absent_a church_n vers_fw-la 23._o chap._n 16.4_o some_o of_o which_o be_v neither_o call_v nor_o have_v ordinary_a member_n or_o messenger_n there_o other_o be_v ordinary_a ergo_fw-la exemplary_a as_o 1_o the_o public_a meeting_n of_o church-messenger_n elder_n and_o other_o brethren_n 2_o the_o propound_v of_o matter_n to_o be_v consider_v 3_o the_o dispute_v of_o they_o v._o 7._o 4_o the_o joint_a resolution_n of_o the_o question_n out_o of_o and_o according_a to_o the_o scripture_n v._o 15_o 16._o 5_o the_o declaration_n and_o delivery_n thereof_o unto_o the_o church_n to_o be_v accept_v of_o and_o keep_v by_o they_o act_v 16._o v._o 4._o 6_o order_n in_o all_o the_o apostle_n be_v elder_n and_o member_n of_o every_o church_n ergo_fw-la here_o be_v assemble_v elder_n and_o messenger_n of_o all_o church_n ergo_fw-la in_o some_o respect_n it_o may_v be_v call_v a_o universal_a counsel_n distin_n 3_o hence_o look_v upon_o what_o be_v extraordinary_a so_o it_o may_v warrant_v the_o great_a counsel_n look_v upon_o what_o be_v ordinary_a therein_o and_o so_o it_o warrant_v the_o small_a counsel_n in_o this_o synod_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v the_o substantial_o matter_n and_o form_n circumstantials_n constant_o such_o as_o necessary_o accompany_v every_o synod_n occasional_o which_o accompany_v the_o synod_n pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la i_o e._n according_a to_o the_o circumstance_n of_o this_o time_n and_o this_o place_n that_o which_o be_v command_v as_o continual_o bind_v act_v 15._o be_v the_o circumstantial_o of_o a_o synod_n the_o constant_a circumstantial_o and_o such_o occasional_o as_o be_v to_o edification_n pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la these_o two_o last_o distinction_n right_o apply_v may_v satisfy_v many_o light_a objection_n which_o we_o shall_v not_o therefore_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o argum_fw-la 2_o take_a by_o proportion_n from_o gal._n 2.2_o if_o in_o time_n of_o controversy_n about_o weighty_a matter_n of_o religion_n the_o assemble_v together_o of_o apostle_n who_o know_v the_o truth_n before_o they_o come_v on_o to_o the_o synod_n and_o one_o of_o they_o be_v great_a than_o all_o particular_a church_n be_v needful_a for_o the_o testify_a to_o the_o carry_v on_o of_o the_o truth_n which_o be_v less_o than_o the_o find_n out_o testify_v to_o carrying_z on_z of_o the_o truth_n if_o warrant_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n then_o the_o assemble_v together_o of_o church_n by_o themselves_o or_o by_o church-messenger_n either_o of_o which_o be_v a_o synod_n to_o the_o find_v our_o testify_v to_o and_o better_o carry_v on_o of_o the_o truth_n be_v warrantable_a out_o of_o the_o scripture_n but_o in_o such_o time_n of_o controversy_n the_o assemble_v together_o of_o apostle_n one_o of_o who_o be_v great_a than_o all_o particular_a church_n for_o the_o testify_a to_o and_o better_o carry_v on_o of_o the_o truth_n be_v warrant_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n gal._n 2.2_o ergo_fw-la in_o such_o time_n of_o controversy_n the_o assemble_v together_o of_o church_n by_o themselves_o or_o by_o the_o church-messenger_n either_o of_o which_o be_v a_o synod_n for_o the_o find_v out_o testify_v to_o and_o better_o carry_v on_o of_o the_o truth_n be_v warrant_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n the_o argument_n proceed_v from_o the_o great_a to_o the_o lesser_a thus_o if_o the_o truth_n in_o time_n of_o weighty_a controversy_n have_v need_v of_o the_o help_n of_o the_o assemble_v together_o of_o apostle_n then_o in_o like_a time_n it_o have_v much_o more_o need_n of_o the_o assemble_v together_o of_o church_n if_o apostle_n at_o such_o time_n have_v need_n of_o the_o help_n of_o other_o apostle_n than_o church_n in_o like_a time_n have_v need_n of_o the_o help_n of_o other_o church_n such_o assembly_n the_o example_n whereof_o be_v record_v and_o approve_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v warrant_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n argum_fw-la 3_o but_o the_o orderly_a assembly_n of_o the_o qualify_a people_n of_o god_n for_o the_o consider_v of_o matter_n of_o religion_n in_o time_n of_o weighty_a controversy_n be_v such_o assembly_n the_o example_n whereof_o be_v record_v &_o commend_v in_o the_o scripture_n erg_fw-mi the_o orderly_a assembly_n of_o qualify_a person_n for_o the_o consider_v of_o matter_n of_o religion_n in_o time_n of_o weighty_a controversy_n be_v warrant_v out_o of_o the_o script_n prove_v minor_n prove_v ezra_n 7.14_o ezra_n inquire_v of_o the_o lord_n id_fw-la est_fw-la consult_v of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n 1_o chron._n 13.2_o david_n consult_v with_o the_o congregation_n concern_v the_o carry_n of_o the_o ark_n to_o its_o place_n 2_o chr._n 30.2_o hezekiah_n have_v take_v counsel_n of_o all_o his_o prince_n and_o all_o the_o congregation_n on_o in_o jerusalem_n to_o keep_v the_o passeover_n in_o the_o second_o month_n the_o approve_a example_n of_o the_o godly_a of_o imitable_a and_o useful_a nature_n in_o practical_a case_n be_v a_o rule_n unto_o we_o reason_n 1_o from_o the_o cause_n when_o the_o cause_n of_o a_o synod_n remain_v there_o opportunity_n be_v have_v the_o warrantable_a use_n of_o synod_n remain_v but_o under_o the_o gospel_n the_o cause_n of_o synod_n remain_v ergo_fw-la under_o the_o gospel_n the_o use_n of_o synod_n be_v warrantable_a the_o cause_n of_o synod_n be_v either_o prevent_v remove_v of_o or_o recover_v from_o
the_o covenant_n of_o grace._n discover_v the_o great_a work_n of_o a_o sinner_n reconciliation_n to_o god._n by_o john_n cotton_n minister_n at_o boston_n in_o new_a england_n whereunto_o be_v add_v certain_a query_n tend_v to_o accommodadation_n between_o the_o presbyterian_a and_o congregationall_a church_n also_o a_o discussion_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n power_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n by_o the_o same_o author_n london_n print_v by_o m._n s._n for_o francis_n eglesfield_n and_o john_n allen_n at_o the_o marigold_n and_o rise_v sun_n in_o paul_n churchyard_n 1655._o to_o the_o true_o virtuous_a and_o religious_a my_o ever_o honour_a and_o much_o esteem_v friend_n m_o ris_z catharine_n hodson_n the_o sure_a mercy_n of_o david_n if_o either_o religion_n or_o civility_n have_v any_o virtue_n to_o oblige_v certain_o i_o be_o much_o your_o debtor_n it_o will_v be_v but_o a_o compliment_n which_o usual_o derive_v its_o pedigree_n from_o the_o vain_a assentation_n to_o promise_v any_o adequate_a satisfaction_n for_o those_o many_o favour_n you_o be_v please_v to_o make_v i_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o design_n of_o these_o few_o line_n be_v to_o testify_v to_o yourself_o and_o the_o world_n that_o i_o be_o real_o thankful_a or_o hearty_o desire_v to_o be_v so_o the_o follow_a treatise_n which_o concern_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n i_o commend_v rather_o to_o your_o practice_n then_o protection_n it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v a_o orphan_n entertain_v it_o for_o the_o father_n sake_n and_o i_o shall_v undertake_v you_o shall_v gain_v no_o mean_a satisfaction_n for_o your_o pain_n the_o two_o small_a tract_n at_o the_o end_n be_v of_o good_a use_n to_o those_o for_o who_o they_o be_v intend_v in_o the_o first_o the_o reverend_a author_n undertake_v a_o good_a office_n which_o be_v to_o become_v umpire_n betwixt_o dissent_v brethren_n next_o to_o their_o not_o fall_v out_o the_o best_a thing_n be_v to_o agree_v i_o have_v often_o think_v that_o if_o man_n do_v more_o attend_v to_o the_o interest_n of_o grace_n and_o be_v less_o particular_a in_o their_o end_n the_o quarrel_n about_o the_o way_n will_v not_o be_v so_o endless_a as_o to_o that_o latter_a tract_n about_o the_o magistrate_n power_n in_o matter_n touch_v the_o first_o table_n of_o late_a day_n it_o have_v fall_v much_o under_o question_n wise_a and_o good_a man_n who_o have_v attend_v to_o the_o scripture_n with_o a_o single_a eye_n have_v look_v upon_o the_o magistrate_n as_o the_o minister_n of_o god_n a_o revenger_n to_o execute_v wrath_n upon_o he_o that_o do_v evil_a rom._n 13.4_o under_o the_o name_n of_o evil_n comprehend_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d aristot_n eth._n 5._o 13._o whatsoever_o be_v commit_v about_o holy_a thing_n child_n be_v command_v obedience_n to_o their_o parent_n in_o all_o thing_n col._n 3.20_o felius_fw-la inquit_fw-la augustinus_n reges_fw-la si_fw-la svam_fw-la potestatem_fw-la ad_fw-la dei_fw-la cultuum_fw-la maximè_fw-la dilatandum_fw-la majestati_fw-la ejus_fw-la famulam_fw-la faciant_fw-la de_fw-fr civet_n dei_fw-la 5._o c._n 14._o all_o thing_n comprehend_v holy_a thing_n and_o the_o command_n of_o a_o father_n be_v less_o than_o that_o of_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n that_o which_o relate_v in_o this_o little_a book_n to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n i_o commend_v to_o your_o special_a meditation_n every_o truth_n have_v its_o value_n but_o not_o of_o equal_a concernment_n unto_o all_o among_o all_o the_o parcel_n of_o sacred_a word_n none_o more_o just_o challenge_v our_o serious_a study_n and_o affectionate_a inquisition_n than_o this_o mystery_n that_o have_v be_v hide_v from_o age_n and_o generation_n colos_n 1.26_o comprehend_v in_o the_o covenant_n or_o grace_n which_o be_v a_o constellation_n of_o great_a and_o precious_a promise_n communicate_v the_o most_o beneficial_a influence_n of_o rich_a everlasting_a and_o undeserved_a mercy_n by_o jesus_n christ_n the_o mediator_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o the_o need_v of_o lose_v heavy_a load_a sinner_n this_o be_v the_o city_n of_o refuge_n and_o sure_a sanctuary_n to_o which_o distress_a soul_n have_v always_o flee_v and_o find_v security_n when_o the_o â—…owes_n and_o the_o wave_n of_o temptation_n have_v beat_v upon_o they_o here_o they_o have_v successful_o cast_v the_o anchor_n of_o their_o hope_n for_o the_o mountain_n shall_v depart_v and_o the_o hill_n be_v remove_v but_o my_o kindness_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o thou_o neither_o shall_v the_o covenant_n of_o my_o peace_n be_v remove_v say_v the_o lord_n that_o have_v mercy_n on_o thou_o oh_o thou_o afflict_a and_o toss_v with_o tempest_n and_o not_o comfort_v i_o will_v etc._n etc._n isai_n 54.10,11,12_o they_o only_o know_v how_o much_o sweet_a than_o the_o honey_n and_o the_o honey_n comb_n the_o gen._n 33.9,11_o esau_n look_v upon_o his_o substance_n and_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o have_v much_o or_o abundance_n jacob_n look_v upon_o his_o portion_n in_o jehovah_n &_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o have_v all_o thing_n thus_o it_o shall_v be_v translate_v large_a content_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v who_o have_v taste_v the_o grace_n of_o that_o covenant_n the_o spiritual_a sense_n which_o you_o have_v of_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v so_o right_o exercise_v that_o your_o experience_n exceed_v all_o the_o argument_n of_o knowledge_n that_o i_o be_o able_a to_o administer_v but_o this_o covenant_n be_v our_o grand_a charter_n and_o the_o great_a reason_n of_o our_o hope_n for_o another_o life_n i_o refer_v you_o to_o the_o perusal_n of_o the_o follow_a treatise_n and_o shall_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n bespeak_v a_o blessing_n from_o heaven_n upon_o your_o meditation_n in_o it_o i_o question_v not_o but_o still_o you_o pursue_v that_o thrive_a course_n in_o religion_n which_o many_o be_v want_v to_o themselves_o in_o and_o that_o be_v to_o keep_v off_o from_o unedifying_a dispute_n and_o question_n which_o have_v add_v nothing_o to_o christianity_n but_o discord_n scruple_n and_o a_o loss_n of_o the_o vital_n of_o godliness_n beside_o the_o expense_n of_o precious_a hour_n which_o you_o have_v improve_v to_o more_o considerable_a advantage_n you_o run_v well_o let_v nothing_o hinder_v you_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o you_o have_v wrought_v that_o you_o may_v receive_v a_o full_a reward_n live_v as_o much_o as_o you_o can_v to_o the_o interest_n of_o another_o world_n for_o the_o land_n of_o immanuel_n be_v a_o excellent_a soil_n the_o pure_a air_n be_v above_o where_o the_o spirit_n breathe_v free_o and_o the_o soul_n enjoy_v a_o condition_n proportionable_a to_o itself_o in_o as_o much_o as_o nothing_o can_v fit_v it_o but_o that_o which_o bear_v some_o similitude_n to_o its_o be_v your_o warfare_n be_v not_o yet_o accomplish_v as_o you_o must_v wrestle_v with_o god_n by_o prayer_n so_o you_o must_v wrestle_v with_o principality_n and_o power_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d de_fw-fr supercoelestibus_fw-la eph_n 6.12_o vide_fw-la mat._n 10.32_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mei_fw-la causââ—…_n illius_fw-la causa_fw-la vide_fw-la mat._n 26.21_o all_o you_o shall_v be_v offend_v because_o of_o i_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d aâ—ovi_fw-la or_o because_o of_o heavenly_a thing_n the_o nature_n of_o satan_n be_v to_o tempt_v and_o we_o have_v that_o in_o our_o nature_n fit_v to_o comply_v with_o any_o temptation_n let_v he_o be_v conqueror_n or_o conquer_v he_o be_v restless_a he_o may_v go_v away_o for_o a_o season_n till_o god_n be_v please_v to_o let_v out_o his_o chain_n and_o then_o he_o come_v again_o be_v we_o faithful_a to_o the_o death_n and_o there_o be_v a_o crown_n of_o life_n provide_v for_o we_o now_o the_o god_n of_o all_o grace_n 1_o pet._n 5.10_o who_o have_v call_v we_o into_o his_o eternal_a glory_n by_o christ_n jesus_n after_o you_o have_v suffer_v a_o while_n make_v you_o perfect_a establish_v strengthen_v settle_v you_o so_o pray_v your_o very_a much_o oblige_v friend_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o the_o gospel_n w._n retchfordâ—_n to_o the_o reader_n if_o either_o author_n or_o matter_n may_v tend_v to_o commend_v any_o treatise_n i_o may_v take_v occasion_n from_o both_o these_o respect_n to_o speak_v to_o the_o high_a commendation_n of_o all_o these_o three_o ensue_a treatise_n the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v such_o as_o who_o commendation_n be_v in_o the_o gate_n of_o all_o the_o daughter_n of_o zion_n and_o therefore_o need_v not_o epistle_n of_o commendation_n from_o any_o other_o the_o name_n of_o mr._n john_n cotton_n the_o author_n of_o the_o two_o former_a be_v like_o a_o precious_a ointment_n pour_v forth_o and_o although_o his_o bless_a soul_n be_v now_o amid_o the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a in_o the_o heavenly_a jerusalem_n that_o be_v above_o yet_o his_o holy_a work_n and_o labour_v leave_v
against_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n as_o law_n of_o nation_n or_o deny_v thing_n obstinate_o which_o be_v fundamental_a albeit_o not_o against_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o law_n of_o nation_n as_o for_o example_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o redeemer_n and_o only_a mediator_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n shall_v yet_o not_o be_v restrain_v yea_o that_o be_v to_o suppose_v some_o under_o the_o shine_a of_o the_o gospel_n leave_v of_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o lawless_a condition_n in_o respect_n of_o any_o authority_n to_o restrain_v they_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n the_o civil_a power_n may_v not_o meddle_v with_o they_o and_o ecclesiastical_a can_v as_o not_o be_v actual_o of_o the_o church_n 2_o the_o church_n have_v sufficient_a power_n to_o reach_v her_o end_n in_o curb_v and_o cure_v offence_n of_o the_o second_o table_n yet_o none_o will_v thence_o conclude_v that_o therefore_o no_o need_n to_o the_o church_n therein_o of_o the_o coercive_a power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n 3_o the_o church_n aim_v at_o restraint_n from_o infection_n of_o other_o as_o well_o as_o amend_v the_o party_n themselves_o now_o suppose_v the_o church_n cast_v out_o a_o person_n for_o obstinate_a hold_v of_o heretical_a tenant_n yet_o the_o church_n can_v now_o restrain_v he_o any_o further_a in_o any_o ecclesiastical_a way_n but_o that_o he_o may_v now_o do_v more_o mischief_n in_o spread_v his_o tenent_n then_o ever_o unless_o the_o magistrate_n also_o exercise_v his_o coercive_a power_n 4_o the_o church_n may_v in_o case_n by_o clamorous_a noise_n make_v in_o the_o assembly_n or_o otherwise_o by_o faction_n be_v hinder_v from_o the_o exercise_n of_o its_o power_n to_o cencure_v and_o so_o although_o it_o have_v power_n enough_o to_o act_v yet_o it_o will_v need_v the_o magistrate_n help_v to_o exercise_v that_o power_n unless_o we_o dare_v plead_v as_o some_o it_o seem_v do_v that_o in_o this_o case_n the_o elder_n may_v act_v by_o corporal_a force_n to_o redress_v it_o as_o phineas_n the_o priest_n do_v in_o kill_v zimri_n and_o cozbi_fw-la disturb_v the_o congregation_n on_o then_o humble_v themselves_o before_o god_n but_o we_o say_v that_o be_v extraordinary_a as_o be_v the_o act_n of_o samuel_n in_o cut_v agag_n in_o piece_n of_o elijah_n in_o put_v baal_n priest_n to_o death_n and_o peter_n act_n against_o the_o life_n of_o ananias_n and_o saphira_n nor_o will_v we_o plead_v the_o priest_n example_n 2_o chron._n 26._o in_o thrust_v out_o vzziah_n out_o of_o the_o temple_n or_o such_o like_a argument_n suppose_v that_o the_o priest_n of_o old_a and_o the_o levite_n might_n by_o a_o dispensation_n peculiar_a to_o those_o time_n be_v allow_v more_o liberty_n of_o act_v in_o matter_n of_o a_o civil_a nature_n both_o in_o the_o great_a synedrian_n and_o other_o where_o than_o any_o of_o we_o dare_v say_v be_v imitable_a by_o or_o allowable_a to_o church_n or_o church_n officer_n now_o object_n three_o and_o last_o the_o tare_n be_v command_v to_o be_v let_v alone_o mat._n 13.29,30_o therefore_o what_o authority_n have_v the_o magistrate_n to_o restrain_v or_o punish_v man_n now_o under_o the_o gospel_n but_o rather_o to_o leave_v christian_n to_o the_o liberty_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n answ_n this_o be_v a_o parable_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v take_v in_o the_o scope_n and_o substance_n and_o not_o according_a to_o the_o circumstance_n thereof_o as_o peter_n martyr_n note_v in_o this_o case_n now_o the_o scope_n of_o part_n of_o the_o parable_n be_v not_o to_o be_v a_o direction_n unto_o we_o what_o we_o shall_v do_v in_o point_n of_o exercise_n of_o any_o power_n with_o we_o but_o contain_v simple_o a_o doctrine_n of_o providence_n what_o god_n will_v order_v to_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o his_o visible_a church_n in_o this_o world_n and_o therefore_o to_o show_v that_o christ_n intend_v not_o any_o rule_n of_o precept_n of_o our_o duty_n in_o this_o sentence_n of_o the_o parable_n vers_fw-la 29_o 30._o nay_o let_v both_o grow_v together_o he_o do_v not_o in_o his_o after_o exposition_n of_o the_o several_a branch_n of_o the_o parable_n insist_v at_o all_o on_o the_o branch_n mention_v to_o give_v any_o explication_n thereof_o and_o if_o it_o be_v any_o direction_n it_o must_v either_o look_v to_o civil_a or_o church_n power_n if_o to_o civil_a power_n then_o since_o the_o tare_n be_v express_o interpret_v to_o be_v the_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o such_o as_o offend_v and_o do_v iniquity_n and_o be_v as_o reprobate_n to_o be_v burn_v or_o damn_v vers_fw-la 38._o then_o the_o worst_a wretch_n that_o live_v murderer_n bugger_n traitor_n etc._n etc._n must_v be_v all_o let_v alone_o in_o their_o sin_n and_o only_o leave_v to_o christ_n judgement_n at_o the_o last_o day_n and_o our_o opposite_n have_v least_o reason_n to_o stretch_v this_o parable_n as_o respect_v any_o restraint_n of_o the_o use_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n when_o the_o very_a scope_n of_o it_o be_v not_o to_o tell_v we_o touch_v the_o state_n of_o the_o civil_a kingdom_n in_o this_o world_n but_o rather_o of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n or_o the_o ecclesiastical_a part_n of_o the_o world_n the_o visible_a church_n and_o if_o it_o look_v at_o any_o restraint_n of_o the_o use_n of_o power_n it_o strike_v rather_o at_o the_o use_n of_o church_n power_n but_o if_o it_o look_v at_o church_n power_n than_o the_o church_n be_v not_o to_o censure_v heretic_n no_o not_o though_o obstinate_a contrary_a to_o titus_n 3_o no_o incestuous_a adulterous_a covetous_a church-member_n contrary_a to_o 1_o cor._n 5._o and_o that_o the_o parable_n never_o intend_v any_o abridgement_n of_o either_o power_n in_o the_o just_a exercise_n thereof_o be_v evident_a in_o that_o it_o speak_v 1_o of_o such_o a_o extirpation_n of_o offender_n as_o be_v only_o possible_a to_o angel_n arm_v with_o christ_n power_n and_o 2_o of_o a_o universal_a extirpation_n of_o all_o and_o every_o reprobate_n from_o among_o the_o company_n of_o the_o elect_n neither_o of_o which_o hinder_v but_o that_o 1_o to_o such_o particular_a offender_n as_o may_v be_v root_v up_o by_o civil_a and_o church_n power_n without_o danger_n and_o hurt_n to_o godly_a one_o as_o be_v obstinate_a seducer_n heretic_n and_o they_o may_v and_o ought_v so_o to_o be_v 2_o such_o particular_a offender_n which_o by_o their_o continuance_n among_o god_n people_n do_v overrun_v and_o overtop_n they_o in_o such_o sort_n as_o they_o be_v hurt_v and_o endanger_v by_o they_o and_o they_o can_v grow_v and_o thrive_v spiritual_o by_o reason_n of_o they_o they_o may_v &_o aught_o to_o be_v root_v out_o by_o both_o power_n for_o if_o there_o be_v any_o force_n in_o the_o parable_n in_o this_o way_n it_o be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o tare_n be_v to_o be_v suffer_v in_o reference_n not_o to_o the_o hurt_n but_o to_o the_o good_a of_o the_o wheat_n so_o that_o which_o tend_v to_o the_o corrupt_a blast_a and_o destruction_n of_o the_o wheat_n be_v therefore_o to_o be_v remove_v because_o hurtful_a and_o pernicious_a to_o the_o wheat_n so_o that_o our_o opposite_n will_v gain_v nothing_o to_o their_o cause_n by_o press_v this_o parable_n as_o directory_n that_o way_n to_o we_o but_o we_o rather_o upon_o the_o reason_n before_o go_v conceive_v it_o to_o be_v set_v down_o not_o as_o a_o direction_n or_o any_o command_n of_o christ_n enjoin_v we_o thus_o or_o thus_o to_o do_v but_o as_o a_o doctrinal_a instruction_n that_o god_n may_v and_o will_v in_o his_o providence_n suffer_v for_o a_o time_n mixture_n of_o good_a and_o bad_a together_o elect_a and_o reprobate_a in_o his_o visible_a church_n nor_o be_v we_o to_o fret_v or_o be_v discontent_v at_o his_o providence_n in_o it_o or_o to_o think_v that_o by_o any_o course_n we_o can_v take_v it_o will_v be_v otherwise_o whilst_o and_o where_o ever_o we_o be_v in_o this_o world_n like_v to_o that_o speech_n of_o paul_n 1_o cor._n 5_o 10._o now_o in_o the_o close_a of_o all_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v who_o doctrine_n do_v most_o infringe_v true_a liberty_n of_o conscience_n those_o which_o will_v have_v every_o christian_n leave_v to_o the_o liberty_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n which_o at_o least_o be_v not_o against_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n law_n of_o nation_n or_o those_o that_o maintain_v the_o forenamed_a power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n for_o suppose_v the_o magistrate_n be_v a_o christian_n he_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o liberty_n of_o his_o conscience_n too_o as_o well_o as_o other_o now_o if_o leave_v to_o the_o lesbian_a warp_a rule_n what_o if_o he_o in_o his_o own_o conscience_n through_o temptation_n and_o error_n be_v in_o most_o thing_n a_o papist_n which_o may_v stand_v with_o the_o law_n